What determines a sound wave's frequency?Multiple choice question.amplitudepitchtimbrewavelength

Breakdown of the Problem

1. The question requires identifying what specifically determines the frequency of a sound wave from the provided options.

Relevant Concepts

2. The frequency of a sound wave is the number of complete cycles (oscillations) that occur in a second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Analysis and Detail

3. Let's analyze each option:

   • Amplitude: This refers to the height of the wave and corresponds to the loudness of the sound but does not affect frequency.
   • Pitch: This is the perception of frequency by humans, where higher frequency corresponds to a higher pitch, but it is not a determinant of frequency itself.
   • Timbre: This refers to the quality or color of the sound, determined by the waveform and overtones, and does not influence frequency.
   • Wavelength: This is the distance between successive crests of the wave and is inversely related to frequency. The relationship is expressed by the formula:

   $f = \frac{v}{\lambda}$

   where $f$ is frequency, $v$ is the speed of sound, and $\lambda$ is the wavelength.

Verify and Summarize

4. From the analysis, while wavelength is related to frequency, it is not a direct determinant as the question requires. The direct determinant of frequency is the oscillation rate of the wave itself, which is not represented explicitly in the options.

Final Answer

The option that most directly relates to the concept of frequency is wavelength, as frequency is inversely proportional to it. However, it's important to note that frequency itself is fundamentally determined by the source of the sound wave.